What Happens When A Bronze Vase is Stolen From A Flat Bronze Memorial Marker At A Cemetery?

Apparently stealing bronze vases from cemeteries across America has become a big problem.  They are easy to steal.  Thieves attempt to take them to salvage yards for cash.  A large component of bronze vases is copper.  Copper prices are down about 20% from their recent all-time historic high price.  Couple that with a weak economy, and vases from flat bronze memorial markers look like easy money.  Salvage yards know not to accept cemetery vases but not all salvage yards comply unfortunately.  At retail now it would cost about $600 to buy a bronze vase.  They are roughly 10 inches tall and 3 inches around.  So they are clunky and mildly heavy.  Some cemeteries will replace the vases for you at no cost.  Many will not because they don't want to spend the money.  But it's good to ask and know what's included in your Perpetual Care at a cemetery.  This is quite personal as thieves are stealing these from memorials of deceased and buried people.  Ah greed and desperation.  This issue made the front page of the Wall Street Journal this week: "In Cemeteries, Sky-High Metal Prices Lead to Grave Situation."